Apple relaxes restriction regarding iOS development

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Statement by Apple on App Store Review Guidelines

The App Store℠ has revolutionized the way mobile applications are developed and distributed. With over 250,000 apps and 6.5 billion downloads, the App Store has become the world?s largest mobile application platform and App Store developers have earned over one billion dollars from the sales of their apps.

We are continually trying to make the App Store even better. We have listened to our developers and taken much of their feedback to heart. Based on their input, today we are making some important changes to our iOS Developer Program license in sections 3.3.1, 3.3.2 and 3.3.9 to relax some restrictions we put in place earlier this year.

In particular, we are relaxing all restrictions on the development tools used to create iOS apps, as long as the resulting apps do not download any code. This should give developers the flexibility they want, while preserving the security we need.

In addition, for the first time we are publishing the App Store Review Guidelines to help developers understand how we review submitted apps. We hope it will make us more transparent and help our developers create even more successful apps for the App Store.

The App Store is perhaps the most important milestone in the history of mobile software. Working together with our developers, we will continue to surprise and delight our users with innovative mobile apps.

Source: Apple website via Rob Wright on Twitter

[Malisk]

I think this changed stance could be because they had to change it.

It could be the result of Apple lawyers finding that it'd be hard to counter any lawsuits resulting from the former strict policy, and recommending this course of action.

[Elliott]

I think this changed stance could be because they had to change it.

AFAIK, they hadn't been forced to by law (yet).

It could be the result of Apple lawyers finding that it'd be hard to counter any lawsuits resulting from the former strict policy.

That's a definite possibility.

[Rudy]

I personally could understand the restriction.... I wonder if Adobe will try to bring back their Flash to App thing

[Klownicle]

This is good on apple to do somthing like this.

However, I still think its a terribly sheltered company who does not promote outside innovation. But thats just me. Koodos to apple for relizeing there mistake, and publishing there app review process.

[Boz]

I personally could understand the restriction.... I wonder if Adobe will try to bring back their Flash to App thing

There was absolutely no reasonable or logical explanation for the restriction. Apps built with Flash run in AIR. I have built an app with it during the pre-release of Flash iPhone Packager and it ran great. The whole argument from apple was purely from the financial and business aspect and it was lame as hell.

I'm glad they've been kicked in the ass by government and Android competition so they are forced to allow this. It's funny how now the security won't be a problem as long as you don't download code. The hypocrisy is hilarious.

And btw, Flash CS5 iPhone Packager still works.. You can publish apps from Flash.

[vhane]

A step in the right direction.

[Boz]

This is good on apple to do somthing like this.

However, I still think its a terribly sheltered company who does not promote outside innovation. But thats just me. Koodos to apple for relizeing there mistake, and publishing there app review process.

They didn't "realize" anything.. They were kicked in the ass and forced to do it. A huge difference... They will only change their technological dictatorship and anti-competitive behavior when law strikes them. As long as they can walk the shady line of legal and illegal they will try to do the anti-competitive and anti-innovation thing.

[Elliott]

They didn't "realize" anything.. They were kicked in the ass and forced to do it. A huge difference... They will only change their technological dictatorship and anti-competitive behavior when law strikes them. As long as they can walk the shady line of legal and illegal they will try to do the anti-competitive and anti-innovation thing.

And your proof is where?

[Boz]

And your proof is where?

No need for proof.. it's obvious as day.

Also.. I'm pretty sure this also had something to do with it:

[Ryoken]

I love hoe people are looking at this like Apple lost or something lol.

This was probably the plan all along.. I mean they did it just as Adobe was about to release CS5, and with that announcement one of the key selling features and talking points died..

It was a big FU to Adobe more than anything else.. Now the job is done, they can go back to the way it was before lol.

[instant.human]

so now Apple does something that was demanded for ages, and may it be because they were forced to do it or would have been later, and that's wrong, too? aww...

Don't like it - don't use it. There are alternatives, you know...

Also.. I'm pretty sure this also had something to do with it:

so? Apple is reacting to how the market develops. Perfectly normal thing. It's not like this is something only Apple does. And now it is resulting in a good step forward, unlike RIMs pathetic try, and it's still wrong? Oh well I'm outta here...

[vhane]

Geez. Credit where credit is due. Apple listened for cripes sake.

[Boz]

so now Apple does something that was demanded for ages, and may it be because they were forced to do it or would have been later, and that's wrong, too? Aww...

Don't like it - don't use it. There are alternatives, you know...

It's not the fact that they allowed it. it's the overall state of things with Apple. They are extremely shady company. You can build apps now and 6 months from now when the outlook for them it better again they can ban it again and killing your business. This is what's wrong with them.

They are awfully hypocritical company that pretty much cannot do things honestly but always has to twist and screw people until they are cornered then they go and backpedal and allow stuff.

I can't wait until Android crushes them completely. Apple's only business model these days is about iOS and once Android kills them, they will not have anything.

[Axel]

Sorry for my blatent ignorance but what direct benefits of this am I likely to see as a consumer?

[Elliott]

No need for proof.. it's obvious as day.

Also.. I'm pretty sure this also had something to do with it:

I highly doubt Apple blocking Flash compiled apps caused people to go to Android. That influx of subscribers in the US has a lot more to do with the 2-for-1 Droid deals that Verizon is pushing and the fact that the iPhone is still locked to AT&T (Apple's biggest mistake thus far).

And those are smartphone sales only. Find me a chart with iPod touches and iPads factored in and then let's compare Android vs. iOS.

I can't wait until Android crushes them completely. Apple's only business model these days is about iOS and once Android kills them, they will not have anything.

Keep dreaming. Android smartphones might beat iPhones in sales, but iOS isn't going away anytime soon.

[instant.human]

I can't wait until Android crushes them completely. Apple's only business model these days is about iOS and once Android kills them, they will not have anything.

While that is only partly right, because they still sell and refresh their Mac-Products, what is wrong with concentrating on a market that went well for them (and actually still does, pretty much?)? Who would't do that? It's not a lost fight, if they change something now, you know? It's just a reaction. A perfectly normal one. But yeah, it's Apple. And Apple is evil, or what?

Please don't read that as it was supposed to be an offense to you or in any way aggressive. I'm just not understanding how one can see that relaxing-the-restrictions-thing THAT negatively instead of saying "alright, it's not quite perfect yet but at least they are kinda heading the right way"?

I give Android some credit here aswell. Competition is always good. And obviously Apple was forced to act by competition, which is great.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Engadget linked to the App Store Guidelines: Click here (.pdf)

[techbeck]

I highly doubt Apple blocking Flash compiled apps caused people to go to Android. That influx of subscribers in the US has a lot more to do with the 2-for-1 Droid deals that Verizon is pushing and the fact that the iPhone is still locked to AT&T (Apple's biggest mistake thus far).

I think Flash had something to do with it...but was not the sole cause. I think the fact that Apple blames the consumers for their f'ups as the major reason why a lot of people I know are switching. Apple's success is getting the best of them and they need to be careful.

And those are smartphone sales only. Find me a chart with iPod touches and iPads factored in and then let's compare Android vs. iOS.

Comparisons do not take in account for iPads or MP3 players. They are different hardware and used for different purposes. Also, Android really doesnt have a MP3 player and no TABs yet to really compete with the iPad. Even if Android did, you need to limit the comparisons to products that do the same tasks. Like Android/iPhone, Galaxy S Tab/iPad.....you get the idea.

[Growled Member]

A step in the right direction.

Exactly. Ever little bit helps.